By Henry Ihimekpen
The National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO) has urged the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to promptly sign execution warrants for people sentenced to death for heinous crimes, including kidnapping and cult-related killings.
The council said swift execution of duly convicted criminals would strengthen the fight against insecurity and serve as a deterrent to others.
The group’s National President, Emmanuel Johnny, made the call at the 4th Edition of the Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026 at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
Johnny, who also heads the Vision One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI), urged other governors to adopt Edo’s security model, which he said had contributed to reducing cultism, kidnapping, cybercrime and other violent crimes in the state.
He noted that Edo State had established special courts for the speedy trial of kidnapping, cultism, cybercrime and related offences, while its anti-cultism and anti-kidnapping law provides for measures including demolition of properties linked to criminals.
He also commended the strengthening of the Edo State Security Corps, recruitment of forest guards and empowerment of community vigilantes to secure forests and other ungoverned spaces.
The CSO leader further urged the governor to establish a Crime Deterrence and Reorientation Centre in each of the state’s three senatorial districts.
He said the centres should display photographs and records of condemned and executed criminals to educate youths on the consequences of crime.
